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I met him when we were held-over waiting for a flight in Paris. I was on a ski trip returning from Switzerland, and he was returning from a show in Germany. We were flying back to the U.S., so they wouldn't let us into the general airport population. I stood up and said "eff this, I'm going to find a bar." This black guy stood up and said, "I'm going with you." So we went and found one.

He then says, "we need to go back and tell everybody." I said, "let's have a beer, first." So we did.

By the time I made it back after collecting all of my buddies and walked back into the bar, some of my friends ran up to me and said, "that's Al Jarreau." Then it clicked. I just didn't recognize him.

In any case, this beer's to you, Al. I hope you enjoyed talking to me as much as you enjoyed talking to someone who did not recognize you.